Police arrest woman concerning missing child case from 2019

A missing child case from two years ago has led to a recent arrest.

According to Pawtucket Police, on November 5, the Pawtucket Police Department was alerted to a possible missing child by staff at the Pawtucket Public Library. Staff became concerned on a couple of occasions about a mother and daughter. An internet search revealed a Facebook post from 2019 for both mother and daughter possibly being missing out of Florida.

The investigation was turned over to Det. Ethan Barrett who was able to verify that the child was actually missing out of the state of Virginia. Det. Barrett was also able to verify that the mother had a warrant out of Florida for interfering with custody/abduction by a non-custodial parent. The investigation led Det. Barrett and members of the Major Crime Unit to Fogarty Manor in Pawtucket where the child was eventually located and mother subsequently arrested.

48-year-old Jessica Van Daam, from Stuart, Florida, was held as a fugitive from justice and sent to the ACI awaiting extradition.

Family Services of Rhode Island was contacted and remained with the seven-year-old girl until the arrival of DCYF who then took custody and responded with the child to an area hospital for a precautionary evaluation.